DAY THREE
Greetings. Today was an absolutely wonderful day from many perspectives. First, Otsego and Crawford County can be proud of their residents that are working here. They are hard working and dedicated and believe in Christian service.
Today our job was to continue to build the 2nd floor of the school. 600 blocks were laid by 11:20 a.m. and then we unloaded an additional 350 blocks that were delivered and hauled them to the 2nd floor. By 3 p.m., all but 60 of those blocks were laid. With the exception of those 60 blocks, three new classrooms and a hallway now all have walls.
The director of the school was so inpressed with the amount of work completed and how polite our students are that she prepared a special cake for us at 4 p.m. This is truly an act of love especially when you consider they have virtually no money and it was a very large cake to feed us all.
We returned to the guesthouse by 5 p.m. to go walk in the West barrio section (pictures attached). Katie Markham was so moved, she gave the shoes on her feet to a young girl. Zach Edel carried her back to the guesthouse due to the glass in the trails and walkways.
It is evident that the high school students come from a good family environment and good school system based upon their work ethics, manners and how they get along, not only amoung their selves but with the adults and the other children in the barrios. The above story is an exceptionial example of this.
After supper the group walked to San Juan and enjoyed an ice cream. As usual, approximately 20 barrio children tagged along for an ice cream treat with the Americanos. Afterwards, the students went to the local town square, where all children played together for about 45 minutes.
Tomorrow morning we will go the Christian CCED school at 7:30 a.m. to participate in the morning prayer and their flag raising ceremony. Afterwards, the Rotarians will get to see the fully operational generator in action! Then, the group will go to the local market for approximately one hour and then walk to the other school, which is our work site. We will lay the last 60 blocks; pour columns and begn building vegas. Mission personnel can not believe the amount of work that was done in two days.
The students will have dinner tomorrow at the guesthouse while the Rotarians are invited to a Dominican home (Dori’s mother-in-law) for a special Dominican dinner. This is to say thank you to the Rotary Club of Gaylord for bringing Dori to the San Juan area during the past four years. She is now married to a local Dominican. Sandi Edel and Marilyn Kaczanowski will leave the work site at noon and join Dori at her mother-in-law’s house in the barrio to learn how to cook real Domincan food. The four women will prepare the dinner for approximately 24 total. (Rotarians and family).
Thursday we will finish our vegas and then enjoy a special meal at the guesthouse with the children and the children’s families that are sponsored by Rotarian club members. Friday morning we all head back to Santo Domingo to explore the Old Towne section and shop. Afterwards we will check into Capella Caribe resort for some relaxation before we head back to Detroit Sunday afternoon. (You may not receive an email from the group after Thursday unless there is internet access at the resort).
As you view the 16 pictures that we are sending, one picture will have white bulbs. This is their “Christmas tree” plant that has eggshells that are stuck on the end of the plant leaves.
To Sherry Castle: Please relay to Karen Doublestein that our host has asked if she would be willing to work with Sandi Edel and Sandy Nofzinger for a couple of days in the medical clinic uncrating, tabulating and stocking medical supplies that were just received for hurricane medical relief.
In Peace,
Rudi Edel and Curt Reppuhn